18 Busy Day Soup Recipes That Save Time

Some weeks are just too packed for long cooking sessions. On those busy days, I lean on soup recipes that come together with minimal effort. These are my favorites because they use shortcuts like a slow cooker, pre-chopped veggies, or just one pot, so cleanup is easy.

They’re the kind of meals that let me focus on everything else I have to do, without sacrificing a warm, homemade dinner. Here are 18 busy day soup recipes that truly save time.

1. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Stew meat, potatoes, and carrots cooked all day in a savory broth. I just chop everything in the morning and come home to dinner.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 320
2. Protein: 28g
3. Carbs: 30g
4. Fat: 10g
5. Fiber: 5g

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2. 20-Minute Tomato Tortellini Soup

Cheese tortellini and spinach simmered in a creamy tomato broth. Using store-bought tortellini makes this incredibly fast.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 340
2. Protein: 14g
3. Carbs: 45g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 4g

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3. Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken with egg noodles and broth. It’s ready in the time it takes to cook the noodles.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 280
2. Protein: 24g
3. Carbs: 30g
4. Fat: 8g
5. Fiber: 3g

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4. One-Pot Taco Soup

Ground beef, canned beans, corn, and tomatoes with taco seasoning. Everything cooks in one pot in about 25 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 330
2. Protein: 22g
3. Carbs: 38g
4. Fat: 11g
5. Fiber: 10g

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5. Quick Lentil Soup

Red lentils, diced carrots, and onion simmered in vegetable broth. Red lentils cook fast and break down to thicken the soup quickly.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 290
2. Protein: 16g
3. Carbs: 48g
4. Fat: 3g
5. Fiber: 18g

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6. Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Dried split peas, a ham hock, and chopped onions cooked on low all day. No soaking needed.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 310
2. Protein: 22g
3. Carbs: 45g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 21g

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7. 15-Minute Italian Wedding Soup

Using pre-made mini meatballs from the freezer, chopped escarole, and acini di pepe pasta. It’s almost instant.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 270
2. Protein: 20g
3. Carbs: 28g
4. Fat: 9g
5. Fiber: 3g

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8. Black Bean Soup from Cans

Canned black beans, salsa, and broth pureed until smooth. Topped with a dollop of sour cream, it’s ready in 10 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 250
2. Protein: 12g
3. Carbs: 42g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 15g

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9. Easy Chicken and Rice Soup

Shredded rotisserie chicken, instant rice, and frozen peas and carrots in chicken broth. The rice cooks in the hot broth in minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 240
2. Protein: 23g
3. Carbs: 28g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 3g

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10. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Chicken breasts, white beans, and green chiles cooked all day. I shred the chicken right in the pot before serving.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 350
2. Protein: 32g
3. Carbs: 35g
4. Fat: 9g
5. Fiber: 10g

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11. Sausage and Kale Soup

Pre-cooked Italian sausage with chopped kale and canned cannellini beans. It’s a one-pot meal that’s ready in 20 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 380
2. Protein: 20g
3. Carbs: 30g
4. Fat: 20g
5. Fiber: 9g

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12. Pantry Minestrone

Canned vegetables (diced tomatoes, green beans, kidney beans), dried pasta, and broth. It’s made entirely from shelf-stable items.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 260
2. Protein: 10g
3. Carbs: 45g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 11g

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13. Quick Egg Drop Soup

Chicken broth brought to a simmer, with beaten eggs drizzled in to form ribbons. It’s ready in 5 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 90
2. Protein: 9g
3. Carbs: 3g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 0g

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14. Creamy Potato Soup with Frozen Hash Browns

Using frozen diced potatoes as a shortcut for a creamy potato soup. I add broth, onions, and finish with cream.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 300
2. Protein: 8g
3. Carbs: 38g
4. Fat: 14g
5. Fiber: 4g

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15. 30-Minute Chicken Pho

Using a store-bought pho broth concentrate, rice noodles, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Top with bean sprouts and basil.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 320
2. Protein: 26g
3. Carbs: 48g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 3g

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16. Simple Miso Soup with Tofu

Bring dashi stock to a simmer, whisk in miso paste, and add cubed soft tofu and green onions. It takes 10 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 110
2. Protein: 9g
3. Carbs: 10g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 2g

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17. Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Brown ground beef with a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and diced tomatoes. Add broth and simmer for 20 minutes.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 290
2. Protein: 22g
3. Carbs: 25g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 6g

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18. “Clean Out the Fridge” Soup

My favorite shortcut. Simmer any leftover cooked meat, grains, and veggies in broth for 15 minutes. A different soup every time.

Nutrition per serving (approx.):

1. Calories: 220
2. Protein: 18g
3. Carbs: 22g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 4g

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